Life Advice
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/ArcaMax

Asking Eric: Husband’s eating habits disgust wife
Dear Eric: My husband has eating and sanitary habits that make me cringe. When he prepares his lunch, he licks off the mayonnaise or peanut butter that he has gotten on his fingers and then sticks them in the communal chip bag without washing his hands first.
When he eats cereal or salad, he makes this smacking noise that gets in my head. I ...Read more
Friend Squanders Career Opportunities
DEAR HARRIETTE: I've worked in the entertainment industry for a while now, and with that comes a lot of work with adjacent industries like beauty and fashion. A friend of mine admires the work I do. They've had a longtime interest in leaving the corporate world to pursue modeling full-time, and they currently model on the side. When I share ...Read more
Constructive Criticism Not Wanted Here
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My stepson is a successful novelist. I'm reading an advanced copy of his new book, which is brilliant, but contains a neurodivergent character that doesn't ring quite true to me. (I'm neurodivergent, if that matters.)
In a recent conversation, I complimented him on his truly wonderful book, but when I tried to talk about this...Read more
Money Matters
Dear Annie: My sister "Kendra" and I are not very close and only communicate two to three times per year, mainly in emails. Kendra sold her home and moved out of state. Through our sibling, I heard that she listed her house high to begin with and had to come down on her price in the end but made a decent amount on it. I never commented on how ...Read more
Clingy Girlfriend's Behavior Could Be A Marriage Red Flag
DEAR ABBY: I am a 47-year-old male who is 20 days from being divorced. For the past three months, I have been dating a woman I've known for 26 years. We love each other and plan to be married. We have great times when we are together but struggle on the phone or with texting. I'm not sure why this is, but she says it's because we need to be ...Read more

Ask Anna: Why being inexperienced in bed is a good thing
Dear Anna,
I’m a late-bloomer lesbian — came out at 40, two years ago — and was lucky to have a gentle, affirming first relationship that made me feel safe and seen. She was kind and patient, and our physical connection felt beautifully balanced. Recently, though, I dated someone local who was much more experienced and, frankly, kind of ...Read more
Single File: Celebrate Your Singleness
You've done everything else with your singleness -- denied it, hid it, apologized for it, wished it away. Well, this is the moment to make a 180-degree spin and actually celebrate your single life! Maybe, just maybe, it's not so bad to actually control your finances, your time, your close circle of friends. When you think about your daily ...Read more

Ask Dating Coach Erika: What's the appropriate length of a date?
As a dating coach, I often get questions about the first date — the length, the venue, the method of parting … you name it. I thought I’d share a few gems this week:
Question: So I've been texting back and forth with this girl for a while now (kept having conflicting schedules), and we're finally getting to meet this Thursday. Can you ...Read more

Asking Eric: Neighbor’s new rooster disturbs retirees’ peace
Dear Eric: One of our neighbors has acquired backyard chickens, and a rooster. His chicken coop is not far from our bedroom window. Now that it's getting warmer, we like to sleep with the windows open to cool off the house at night. The rooster wakes up at 5:20 a.m., so now we do as well.
We are retired, so most days we can go back to sleep ...Read more
Mom's Parenting Confession Hurts Reader
DEAR HARRIETTE: Out of nowhere, my mom confided in me that she never really enjoyed being a mother. She said that since I am 45 years old, she feels like she can finally be honest about it. She told me she loves me and my siblings, but the day-to-day experience of raising us was overwhelming and exhausting. She said working full-time and then ...Read more
Do My Former Work Friends Want To Be Friend-Friends?
DEAR MISS MANNERS: After 25 years at the same company, my role was eliminated by the parent corporation. When it comes to former co-workers, who should call whom after such a job loss?
I consider this something like a sympathy situation, and wonder if the remaining employees should call or write me to offer their support. If I should want to ...Read more
Awkward Arrangement With Husband
Dear Annie: I've been reading your column for a long time, and I admire how reasonable and nonjudgmental your advice seems to be.
My husband and I were childhood sweethearts. We are currently separated, and I am concerned that this might lead to divorce.
This is my second marriage. We have two children. Our first child was born in February ...Read more
Chance Encounter Still Burns In Divorced Neighbor
DEAR ABBY: I am a divorced man in my 60s. Twelve years ago, a neighbor woman who I'm attracted to popped into my house to have a smoke break out on my back deck. When she arrived, I was in the shower. She came in like she always did (she had permission) and walked over to the fireplace. As she turned, she took two steps and froze because at that...Read more

At this grief summer camp, Colorado kids learn to mourn -- and swim, fish and climb
EMPIRE, Colo. — The Owls were ready to climb after spending a mid-July morning at a small fishing pond in the Rocky Mountains.
“My hands still smell like fish,” one of the Owls — an 11-year-old named Jackson Dana — said. He’d caught two that morning.
Jackson, fitted with a helmet and harness, ran off to the wall, but his twin Kacy ...Read more

Asking Eric: After moving in, daughter’s boyfriend declared himself king of the household
Dear Eric: My daughter has a "live-in boyfriend" who, since he moved in, thinks he is the king of the household. He is very disrespectful to me, her dad and her stepmom.
I tolerated the stuff he said about her dad, and I tolerated him skipping paying my daughter his share of the mortgage for a few months. But when it got so she almost lost her ...Read more
Pet Owner Sees Cat In Neighbors' Window
DEAR HARRIETTE: A few weeks ago, my cat went missing. I put up flyers around the neighborhood, posted on local social media pages and walked around calling her name. Then, a few days ago, I spotted her sitting in my neighbor's window just two houses down. I'm absolutely certain it's her: same markings, same collar, and when she saw me, she ...Read more
Wonderful Hostess Makes Very Poor Guest
DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have visited a dear friend a few times over the years, and each time, I am greeted with a lovely guest room: comfortable bedding, fresh flowers and fluffy towels, all of which made my stay extra special.
When she visited me for the first time, I was excited to put together a similar experience for her. But I was rather ...Read more
Son's Behavior Is Hot and Cold
Dear Annie: My son's wife was pregnant with their third child in November 2021. At that time, even though my wife is severely handicapped, I offered to come over and spend time with the "grandkids" while she gave birth. She called in December and said, "Pop, I'm in labor." I said, "Don't worry, I'll look in on the kids while you all are in the ...Read more
Co-Worker's 'Raging Crush' Must Be Tamed
DEAR ABBY: After six years of working closely together, I have developed a raging crush on my co-worker and project partner, "Brett." It's a full-on, face-flushing, daydreaming kind of situation, and it's super annoying. I know this crush is inappropriate and unreciprocated, and I have no intention of acting on it. We are both married, and I ...Read more

Asking Eric: Splitting the check creates rift between wife and son
Dear Eric: My wife and son got into a heated argument after he told her that he had dated a woman three times, and on the third date, he asked her if she wanted to split the bill. The woman later texted him that she didn't want to go out with him anymore. My wife told our son that it should be up to the man to pay when dating.
My son strongly ...Read more
Inside Life Advice
Popular Stories
- Ask Anna: Why being inexperienced in bed is a good thing
- Ask Dating Coach Erika: What's the appropriate length of a date?
- At this grief summer camp, Colorado kids learn to mourn -- and swim, fish and climb
- Ask Dating Coach Erika: Can I be happy single?
- Ask Anna: Starting over -- dating with confidence after a long break